City Barber's Tournai's hair artistry recognized

By Lisa Jager Brush News-Tribune Staff Writer

Posted:
07/29/2014 08:10:55 AM MDT

Updated:
07/29/2014 08:12:34 AM MDT

Pictured here is hair artwork by City Barber Shop owner Georgia Tournai. The artwork is part of her portfolio in Denver's Raw Artist Showcase, which will feature Tournai's work in its September 28 showcase. (Courtesy photo)

When Georgia Tournai took over Brush’s City Barber Shop in 2013 her customers commented on her purple hair, and the color would soon change several times over.It turns out coloring hair is one of Tournai’s passions in the world of hair design. This passion for color, as well as for haircuts, has now been recognized by the Raw Artists Showcase, an international, independent arts organization. Its Denver affiliate has chosen Tournai to be its featured artist for its Raw Artists: Scope Showcase in Denver on September 25.Tournai said Raw Artists Showcase is organization by artists for artists, which was launched in 2009 and “is a way when you are in the art world to get your name out there.” It began in California with Heidi Luerra, an artist who decided to “have a night of all artists of all different kinds who can come together and get what they need, show art and have fun, and network and meet people to collaborate with and grow.”The organization has since quickly grown and now has affiliates in more than 60 cities in the U.S., Australia and Asia.Tournai said she submitted her portfolio to Raw Artists Showcase and after being accepted by the organization was selected by the Denver-based group to be its September showcase, one of four to six showcases held throughout the year. It’s up to the artist to determine the nature of its showcase, and Tournai has decided to feature her hair and makeup artistry by putting on a runway show, something that has always been of interest to her.

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“Ever since I started doing hair I’ve always been intrigued by the runway so this is very exciting,” she said.The runway event will be a first for Tournai, as her events to date have included doing some work for photographers, theater fashion shows and hair competitions.Tournai will soon launch a model casting call in the Brush area for models 18 and up, which could provide an opportunity for aspiring models to build their portfolios. She is looking for five to eight models, and depending on how much interest she receives in the area, Tournai will also do casting calls in Greeley and Fort Collins. She also will seek out help from aspiring hair and makeup artists. Tickets for the September 28th showcase featuring Tournai are $15, and Tournai may have the opportunity to give back to Brush some of the money raised through the showcase.For more information about the showcase and to purchase tickets online, visit www.rawartists.org/georgiatournai and click on "Buy A Ticket For This Artist"!